Radio apparatus



Sept. I3, 1932. w. BRUCE mmzo APPARATUS Filed July 21. 1928 R O T N E V N ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE WALTER BR UCE, OF EAST. SPBTNGI'IELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VAN IA aAnIo APPARATUS Application filed July 21,

My invention relates to radio apparatus, and it has particular relation to radio transmitting and receiving sets intended to be used in situations where they will be subjected to shocks and vibration.

As pointed out in the patent to Allen, No. 1,401,121, whenever the electrodes of the thermionic tubes of a receiving set are set into vibration by shocks or blows, the reception of signals is seriously interfered with by the output-current fluctuations occasioned thereby.

The transmission of radio signals, particularly at very high frequencies, is also hampered if the transmitting tubes are subjected to shock, since the vibration of the electrodes influences the frequency of the generated oscillations, as well as their amplitude.

The effect of extraneous vibrations upon the thermionic devices may, to a certain extent, be reduced by mounting the individual tubes on resilient supports, as disclosed in the aforementioned Allen patent and in the patent to Betts, No. 1,364,860, or by mounting a plurality of tubes upon a single resilient base, as shown in the patents to Booth, Gargan and Perlesz, Nos. 1,496,768, 1,545,247

and 1,571,964, respectively. As a further aid in preventing the tube elements from vibrating, it has been proposed to mount the entire receiving or transmitting set on springs, as

shown in the patent to Taylor, No. 1,669,217,

and to surround the glass envelopes of the tubes with shields, such as those disclosed in the patent to Lauritsen, No. 1,631,100.

None of the systems disclosed in the patents cited, however, has proved completely successful in connection with radio apparatus intended for use on railway trains, where the vibration to which it is subjected is of unusual severity.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provide a mounting device for a complete radio receiving or transmitting set that shall serve to completel insulate the set against vibration or shoc Another object of my invention is to provide a mounting or carrying device for a complete radio receiving or transmitting)set that shall serve to prevent extraneous v ra- 1928. Serial No. 294,407.

tions of a periodic character from being transmitted to the thermionic tubes of the set.

Another object of my invention is to provide a transporting device for a complete radio receiving or transmitting set that shall protect the'set against injury while, at the same time, permitting the set to be easily removed therefrom without the use of tools.

In practicing my invention, I provide a rectangular framework slightly larger in interior dimensions than the radio set it is to accommodate. The framework has a plurality of spring devices affixed to the inner surfaces thereof, the devices being so disposed with respect to the walls of the radio set that, although the said set is resiliently supported thereby, it is capable only of highly damped vibratory movements when the framework is subjected to shock. The damping is preferably obtained through friction between the free ends of the spring devices themselves and the walls of the radio set, although it lies within the province of my invention to provide separate damping means, if found desirable.

The novel features that I consider characteristic'of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and the theory upon which it is based, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of a radio-set transporting device comprising a preferred embodiment of my invention, and

Fig. 2 is a view, in perspective, of the de-' vice shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the manner in which a radio set is disposed therein for transportation.

The device illustrated in the drawing comprises a rectangular, six sided, framework 1, the interior dimensions of which are slightly larger than those of a radio set 2, which is to be positioned therein. ,A plurality of doubleleaf springs 3 are riveted, or otherwise affixed, to the interior surfaces of the framework elements, the free ends of the said springs pro jecting inwardly. An opening 4 is provided in one side of the framework, through which a radio set may be inserted.

A plurality of bars 5 are hingedly carried by the lower edge of the opening 4, the free end of each of the bars being provided with a snap-fastener 6 of the eccentric type, such as is commonly used on wardrobe trunks, or the like.

The upper edge of the opening is provided with a plurality of resilient books 7, with which the snap-fasteners carried by the bars 5 maybe engaged after the radio set has been inserted into the framework, as shown in Fig. 2. Each bar 5, on the side in proximity to the radio set, is provided with a doubleleaf spring 8, the free ends of which resiliently engage the front panel of the set when the bars are locked in the raised position.

lVhen the bars are raised and'locked in position, the free ends of the springs carried thereby, and the free ends of the springs carried 011 the interior surfaces of the framework proper, define a space slightly smaller than the radio set.

Upon inserting the set into the framework, all of the springs are, accordingy, depressed a slight amount, and the set is thus resiliently supported from all sides. Any shock, therefore, to which the framework is subjected, can be transmitted to the radio set only through the medium of the springs. The spring elements are depressed to a greater or less degree, depending upon the severity of 1 the shock and, both while being depressed and while returning to their normal, slightly tensioned condition, the energy of the shock is largely absorbed by friction between the free ends of the springs and the walls of the set.

By reason of the damping thus introduced through the frictional contact of the spring ends with the set walls, it is substantially impossible for the set, as a whole, to be set into periodic vibration, no matter whether the enclosing framework is subjected to impacts at irregular intervals or is caused to vibrate at a definite frequency.

By my invention, I have, accordingly, provided a transporting device for a radio set which will protect the set from shocks and jars, irrespective of the character thereof. In addition, my improved transporting device is simple in construction, is mechanically rugged, and is only very slightly, if at all, subject to deterioration.

Although I have chosen, for purposes of illustration, an embodiment of my invention wherein flat leaf springs are used, and wl1erein an open framework, instead of a cabinet, is employed to receive the radio set, I am aware that many modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art or by the spirit of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention In combination, radio apparatus comprising a cabinet and thermionic devices in the interior thereof, a frameworksurrounding said cabinet, said framework comprising a plurality of members defining an open-work structure, a plurality of resilient means carried by certain of said members and frictionally bearing against the exterior of said cabinet, said frictional engagement providing a snubbing action against sustained vibration due to said resilient means, said open work structure permitting access to the cabinet, for operating said radio apparatus while in the framework.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th day of July 1928.

WALTER BRUCE. 

